Early golf superstar, born of humble circumstance in the Channel Islands. Vardon popularized the grip that is used by most present-day golfers. Winner of the British Open (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, and 1914), and the US Open (1900), with career wins totalling 62 tournaments. In 1903 he battled tuberculosis, which lessened the strength of his career after that point. The Vardon Trophy is given annually by the PGA to the golfer averaging the fewest strokes for that year.